After six months of rocketry design, simulated flights and test launches, nearly 1,000 middle and high school students from across the country are traveling to the nation’s capital for the championship round of the Team America Rocketry Challenge. 

On May 9, students will showcase their rockets on Capitol Hill during ‘Rockets on the Hill,’ TARC’s third annual pre-event reception that brings teams together with STEM advocates and their elected representatives in Congress.

On May 10, students gather at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. for a thrilling all-day event with competitive rocket launching, an outdoor expo featuring more than 20 industry sponsors and an awards ceremony honoring the TARC team that will beat out hundreds of other teams to grasp the national title. 

WHAT:

The 2014 Team America Rocketry Challenge National Finals

WHEN & WHERE:

Friday, May 9, 9-10 a.m. (Rockets on the Hill)

Hart Senate Office Building Room 902, Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE

(This is a widely attended event. Media should RSVP to contact below)

Saturday, May 10, 2014, 8:15 a.m.-5 p.m.  (Final Fly-off)

Great Meadow, 5089 Old Tavern Rd., The Plains, VA 20198

WHO:

RSVPed congressional members (May 9 event only):

Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA 11th District)

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO 8th District)

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL 5th District)

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi)

The Aerospace Industries Association, the National Association of Rocketry and nearly 1,000 middle and high school students representing 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Michal Miller, 703-963-6842, aiarockets@gmail.com

TARC 2014 tasks each three- to 10-student team to design and build a rocket that can travel to exactly 825 feet and back within 48-50 seconds. Each rocket carries two raw eggs that must return safely to the ground undamaged. Scores are determined by how close a rocket comes to the required height and time specifications. The team with the lowest score from the sum of two flights wins a trip to the international fly-off at the Farnborough International Air Show courtesy of Raytheon to compete against students from the UK and France.

The final fly-off is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch (food available for purchase will be limited) as well as lawn chairs or a blanket. Parking is free and plentiful.